Heyoo

Hey everyone just checking in. Not much going on here recently, just the same ole stuff. We started the second half of the semester this past week and I now have cornrows. Thats pretty much everything that is new. I just needed a change because I have had pretty much the same hair for 3 years and I am bored. Anyways I am not sure if anyone actually reads this blog so if you could leave a small message or comment that would be awesome so I can see that I am not just writing to myself.


I Miss You,
Richard H.

Hiroshima

I just returned to Nagoya from Hiroshima yesterday and it was a really fun trip. Seeing the site where the atomic bomb hit was really crazy. We studied that exact place in school for as long as I can remember and it always seemed so foreign, but to be in the area and see it in person was a really wierd thing. It was almost unreal to think about what happened in that exact spot on the earth. Its pretty depressing to think about.

After we went to the museum and saw the dome, we ended up going to dinner and actaully went to a few clubs in Hiroshima. We went to a salsa dance bar and a hip hop club. Even though the hip hop club only had maybe 20 people...it was so fun! We ended up not getting home until 4 and waking up at 6 the next morning to go to Himeji.

We ended up going to Himeji castle which was awesome! It was unlike any other castle I have been to, because it was not restored like Nagoya castle. It is in the same shape that it was when it was in use hundreds of years ago. I thought it was very interesting because of this.

The trip was only 2 days long but it really had an effect on me. It was really cool to see things you only read about in books. I hope I have the opportunity to go to more of these places in my lifetime. Hopefully there will be more to come in Japan as well. I have a few pictures here from Hiroshima, Miyajima, and Himeji.

Enjoy!

Love,
Richie

Hello All!

みんなごめん英語だけ。。。

So I have been living in Japan for a little over 2 months and things couldn't be better. I have met so many awesome people both Japanese and from all over the world. The only regret and that is a could be doing a bit better in school. I might be having a little too much fun but I will be picking it up this next week as it is the start of the second half of the semester. I have been partying, making friends, and having a great time with everyone. I moved to a new apartment about a month ago and I am living on my own now. I really love it, because I am able to have anyone over and I don't have a curfew like I did in the dorms. I couldn't believe that I had one!!

So tomorrow I am heading to Hiroshima for a school trip and I am nervous being an American. I think it will be a very emotional trip and I hope a rewarding one too. I will post some pictures and tell you all about it here in a few days. I have been so behind on updating everyone on anything, because I just got internet here TODAY! Sorry everyone!! I miss everyone back home so much, but I am having a blast here so I can't worry too much. Oh ya my Japanese is improving daily because I am always talking with friends and going to class. Hope everyone is doing awesome and please shoot me a comment or an email on here or facebook or whatever.

I love you and miss you,
Richie

New Address

Mr. Richard Layton
Proxy Friends Nisshin #716
149-181 Takenoyama, Iwasaki-cho
Nisshin-shi, Aichi-ken 470-0131 JAPAN

I have a new address so please don't send anything to the old one!!!! I just moved to my own apartment out of the dorms and it is awesome. KEEP IN TOUCH!

Hang tight for the new address..


Love,
Richie

Almost There

Hey everyone! Sorry it has been so long for me to write or do anything. It has been pretty crazy here with studying for placement tests among many other things. I just got back from Tokyo 2 days ago. I went for the weekend with one of my buddies. There is some pictures above if you are in to that sort of thing. It was awesome seeing old friends in Yokohama and kind of just relaxing. School starts here on Monday and I have only 1 more placement test. This weekend should be pretty crazy with everyone wanting to party one last big time before we have to bear down and start classes. I love being legal here by the way. You have to be 20 to do everything so it is so great(maybe a little too). Keep in touch with me, I would love to hear from everyone/anyone. PS how the hell did Iowa State beat us? That was a shocker to say the least. I got up Sunday morning and checked the score and I couldn't believe it. Also I have a new email address and it is on my phone so if you write me I will get it instantly. Just keep it short because it is hard to write English on the phones here. Hope you are all amazing and have a good one.



Love,
richiesama@ezweb.ne.jp

Richie Layton #228
NUFS International House
37-39 Takenoyama, Iwasaki-cho
Nisshin-shi, Aichi-ken 470-0131 JAPAN

I'm Here

Hey whats up everyone? I am finally in Japan and I have been getting settled in for the past few days. For the next 2 weeks, I will be doing orientation for school. I will let you know fully whats going on when I have more time. I am loving the life and everyone is totally cool.

Much Love,
Richie

Chicago Goodbye

So I am sitting the Chicago airport bored, tired, and damn sad. I said my final goodbyes to everyone at Soldier Field yesterday and I am missing everyone already. It is tough. My plane is about to board for San Francisco where I will spend 1 night before I leave for Nagoya tomorrow. I am FINALLY ready to go! Let you know when I land.

Love,
Richie

Final Night In Iowa City

So last night was the final night for me in Iowa City and I couldn't of asked for a better time. Tons of people that mean a hell of a lot to me showed up and rocked out. I will miss everyone so much! I was totally overwhelmed and I still can't believe that a whole year will go by before I see everyone again.

There are new DJs in town!


A Final Goodbye

Kicking It Off

I am just getting things together to head to Nagoya. I am leaving from Chicago exactly a week from today. I could not be more excited, but with a bit of nervousness as well. Hope it goes well, and I get to say bye to everyone before I leave. Wish me luck!

-Richie